Weston Tunnel Grade Separation

Weston Tunnel Grade Separation

Weston Tunnel Grade Separation

HC Matcon achieved a significant milestone on the Weston Tunnel project, allowing for the GC to accelerate the schedule and make up for project delays. HCM mobilized 5 large diameter drill rigs and in seven and a half weeks installed 311 soldier piles (12,000 linear feet) drilled into bedrock up to 60 feet deep and approximately 620 filler piles (7,000 linear feet). The work was completed with an average of 30% downtime as drilling was carried out between two operational train tracks.

Client: KO Constructors
Location: Etobicoke, Ontario

Highland Creek WWTP

Highland Creek WWTP

Due to increased population and the requirement for treating excess amounts of waste water, Highland Creek WWTP underwent a significant upgrade to provide clean water for the residents of Scarborough.  HC Matcon was procured to install several excavation support walls within the treatment plant.

HC Matcon installed seventy-four soldier piles along with multiple tiebacks and shotcrete.  Due to the proximity of the proposed addition, the underground utilities posed a challenging concern.  To avoid disruption and contact with the existing utilities, HC Matcon implemented a perched pile system.  HC Matcon also designed a shoring system around the underground utilities and allowed work to proceed.

HC Matcon completed all work as per industry details combined with innovative connection designs which were incorporated to save schedule time.

Client: Alberici Constructors Inc.

Location: Scarborough, Ontario

TTC Wilson Complex Modification

TTC Wilson Complex Modification

Engineering Solutions

The Toronto Transit Commission will be purchasing all new subway cars in the near future, creating the requirement of larger maintenance carhouses. The original contract drawings employed caisson wall, soldier piles and lagging, and conventional concrete underpinning for the earthwork specifications related to our field of work. HC Matcon proposed an alternative engineered solution that included the use of shotcrete, underpinning, micropiles, soldier piles and shotcrete lagging (SPSL) to achieve the same effect. The acceptance of this proposal allowed for a substantial cost savings to the owner, as well as a shorter construction schedule for the various contractors involved. Mechanical jacking pits were built where shoring is used as a backform for manholes. Shoring for carhouses below- grade will be used as a backform for foundation walls. The substitution of shotcrete underpinning in lieu of caisson walls will allow for easier access to the tunnel portion of the project. This will allow for less demolition of the existing building and less clearance issues.

The above are just a couple examples of the innovations that HCM Contractors Inc. will use to add value to any project.

Client: Aquicon Construction
Location: Toronto, Ontario

EEEL University of Calgary

EEEL University of Calgary

Zero Ground Loss

This project followed shortly after finishing the Taylor Family Digital Library project, which was in close proximity to this site on the same campus. Design considerations for the foundations were almost identical to the previous project, with the installation of approximately 175 cast-in-place belled piles. Again, this new building was a result of the fast-growing population at the University of Calgary and the demand for specialty studies with emphasis on future global trends such as clean energy and the environment.

The soil conditions, which are typical and uniform throughout the mentioned site, consisted mainly of silty sand and clay till which is ideal for large capacity belled piles.

  • The shafts for the piles were predominantly 900mm, 1000mm, and 1,200mm in diameter.
  • The bells were sized at: 2000mm, 2400mm, 2800mm, 3400mm and 3600mm in diameter.

The average founding depth on this project was approximately 13.0m – 17.0m with the need to protect the upper portion of the pile shafts by using temporary casing approximately 8.0m long. The concrete volumes for single piles ranged between 23 – 26 cubic meters. Among the challenges for HCM on this project was installation of piles in close proximity to a concrete utility tunnel. EllisDon approached HCM with a request for shoring and underpinning on a portion of the tunnel.

HCM proposed a design/build tied-back continuous caisson wall method where special consideration was given to the stated goal of zero ground loss from underneath of the tunnel.

Client: EllisDon Corporation
Location: Calgary, Alberta